Born to Claude T. and Naomi D. (Steckel) Wood on Feb. 19, 1935, in Richland, Mo., she was the second of five siblings.

Delores graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in St. Louis, later earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing at the University of Oregon Medical Center in 1975.

While at St. Luke’s, she met Tom, and they married in 1959. Over the next five decades Delores and Tom lived in Richland, Mo.; Highland, Decatur, and Springfield, Ill.; Terre Haute, Ind.; and Portland, Ore., before retiring to Florence’s wide sandy beaches in 1997.

As a nurse, Delores delivered babies, taught Lamaze and cared for preemies, worked at nursing homes and served as a visiting and WIC nurse and later director of nursing for two county health departments.

Delores was a consummate “cruise director” and happiest making others feel at home. A charter member of Habitat for Humanity’s Florence affiliate, she held various board positions and frequently helped on-site building homes.

She was active in her faith wherever she roamed. A dyed-in-the-wool Methodist, she belonged to other denominations, but felt she’d returned home when she joined Florence United Methodist Church.

She also loved walking the beach, singing, playing bridge, dancing, doing crossword puzzles, talking politics, hiking outdoors, reading and traveling to 13 countries and 47 states, including most state capitals.

A service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m., at Florence United Methodist Church, 333 Kingwood St. Donations in her memory can be made to Florence UMC or Florence Habitat for Humanity.